Six strains of an unknown yeast species, phenotypically resembling Yarrowia lipolytica and isolated from chicken breast and chicken liver, were studied. The investigation of their small (18S) and large (26S) subunit rDNA revealed a robust genetic difference between these strains and the type strain of Y. lipolytica. A consistent difference in the physiological properties, suitable for separation of the two taxa, was also found. The description of the new anamorphic yeast species, Candida galli is given.